Contanto Que: Say ‘Provided That’ in Portuguese — Practice

Use contanto que to set a requirement

Contanto que means “provided that” or “as long as.” It introduces the condition that must be met for the main plan or result to work. In many future-oriented sentences, the verb after it appears in the present subjunctive.

The expression is more explicit than a simple yes. It says that the speaker agrees or expects something on the condition that another detail is true.

Notice the subjunctive forms after the condition

Common forms include deixe (you leave), passe (it comes), and esteja (it is). The subjunctive marks the condition as something being required or anticipated, rather than simply reporting an established fact.

Desde que can also mean “as long as” when it introduces a condition, but it can mean “since” when it marks a starting point in time. Contanto que is a clearer choice when you mean a requirement.

Remember: Use contanto que to state a requirement; the clause commonly takes the subjunctive and names the condition for the main plan.

Check your understanding

Choose the English meaning of each Portuguese example. Answer before looking back at the tables. These questions check the written examples in this guide; they are not a listening or proficiency test.

Recall the Portuguese, then say it

Read the English prompt and say a Portuguese version before opening the answer. The answer shows the example from the lesson; other natural translations may also work. Compare the meaning and the situation rather than counting a different word as automatically wrong.

1. You can use the room, provided that you leave everything organized.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Você pode usar a sala, contanto que deixe tudo organizado.

2. We can leave early as long as the bus comes at seven.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   A gente pode sair cedo, contanto que o ônibus passe às sete.

3. I’ll agree to help, provided that the task is clearly explained.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Aceito ajudar, contanto que a tarefa esteja bem explicada.

4. You can stay, as long as you let us know beforehand.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Você pode ficar, contanto que avise antes.

5. He has worked in this office since he arrived.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Desde que chegou, ele trabalha neste escritório.

6. We’ll go by car, provided someone drives.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Vamos de carro, contanto que alguém dirija.

Make the phrase useful to you

Choose one example you could actually use. Say it once from memory, then change one detail that fits your life, such as the person, place, time, or object. Check whether your change also needs a different verb form, article, or adjective ending. If it does, compare it with the pattern in the explanation.

Use contanto que to state a requirement; the clause commonly takes the subjunctive and names the condition for the main plan.

Return to two prompts tomorrow without opening the answers first. If a phrase still feels difficult, shorten it to a useful chunk and build the complete sentence again.

Sources and your next lesson

This I Speak Portuguese practice guide builds on our Contanto Que: Say ‘Provided That’ in Portuguese lesson on Real Life Portuguese, with written recall tasks and additional speaking practice. The explanations and examples are teaching material; the practice questions are exercises, not a transcript of a recording.

To add Brazilian audio to your routine, choose a lesson in the Real Life Portuguese app. The app offers its own lessons and practice; this page does not imply that every example here has an app recording.